Of friends, enemies, transactions and transportation: the evolving political relationship of Bob Menendez and Steve Fulop
The image yesterday in Washington D.C. of powerful U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) walking the hallways with Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop sent a signal of Menendez’s willingness to get behind Fulop and help build the Hudson County mayor. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)
Sources: Holley has edge in potential bid to succeed Cryan in LD 20 Assembly slot
ELIZABETH – Union County Democratic politics is poised for a shift following the death of Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich on Sunday. Following the passing of Froehlich, who had served as sheriff since 1977 and was a respected long-time law enforcement fixture in Union, state Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-20), who long fulfilled the role of a Union County undersheriff, became the acting sheriff. (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)
Attorney fires off election year letter to Caride to consider bill of impeachment against Donovan
As this election season intensifies in bellwether Bergen County, an attorney representing a canned Bergen County employee wants a Democratic legislator to draft a bill of impeachment against County Executive Kathe Donovan. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)
Lesniak on support for Chivukula’s potential BPU post: “I haven’t decided yet”
ELIZABETH – Sources have told PolitickerNJ.com that veteran state Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-17) is in line for an appointment to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). But according to Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-20), three words to the wise might apply to Chivukula – not so fast. (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/77731/lesniak-support-chivukulas-potential-bpu-post-i-havent-decided-yet
Colorado Dems roll out welcome mat for Christie with Bridgegate bashing Youtube ad
The Colorado Democratic Party kicked muddy snow on Gov. Chris Christie’s appearance in the Rocky Mountain State today, criticizing Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez for welcoming Christie. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)
Federal Highway Administrator in New Jersey division arrested on fraud charges
The feds this morning arrested the Assistant Division Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), New Jersey Division, for allegedly using a straw company to get FHWA grant funds he also oversaw as a public official, and for falsifying related federal disclosure documents, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said. (Politicker Staff)
Transgender activist Bowen named executive director of Garden State Equality
Following a national search, veteran transgender activist Andrea “Andy” Bowen has been named the new Executive Director of Garden State Equality (GSE). (Politicker Staff)
Gov. Chris Christie: Colorado winnable for GOP
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called Colorado’s governor’s race winnable for Republicans and pledged Wednesday to visit the state often to support GOP gubernatorial contender Bob Beauprez. (AP)
http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Gov-Christie-visits-Colorado-for-fundraiser-5640279.php
GOP NY Governor candidate to confront Chris Christie over remarks on viability
Expect it to be rocky in Aspen. Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino is planning on confronting New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie over comments he made earlier in the week about his campaign’s viability against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. (ABC News)
Former Governor Kean warns of security weak spots before Congressional hearing
The United States is safer today in many ways than it was on Sept. 10, 2001, but new threats have emerged, the public is growing complacent, and Congress is going in the wrong direction when it comes to trimming its own bureaucracy, former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean Sr. said Wednesday. (Jackson/The Bergen Record)
Battleground Georgia: Democrats see 2014 flip
Democrats have made a national cause of turning Texas blue, even though the chances that Wendy Davis will win the governor’s race this fall remain small — and the likelihood that Texas will be a true battleground any time before 2028 probably even smaller. (Dovere/Politico)
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/georgia-election-2014-democrats-109267.html
Sweeney suggests making Atlantic City an Abbott district
After hearing complaints from residents facing a huge hike in their property taxes, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) today said that the state should consider sending more aid to Atlantic City schools. (Friedman/The Star-Ledger)
Judge approves sale of St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic
A state judge approved the sale of St. Mary’s Hospital to a for-profit chain from California on Wednesday, guaranteeing the survival of Passaic’s sole hospital and providing a foothold for Prime Healthcare Services Inc. in New Jersey. (Layton/The Bergen Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/judge-approves-sale-of-st-mary-s-hospital-in-passaic-1.1055997
Unions oppose private company running NJ lottery
Public worker unions are calling it the latest sweetheart deal under the Christie administration. A 15-year private contract with Northstar Lottery Group to manage sales, marketing and daily operations of New Jersey’s lottery business. Earlier this month a state appeals court blocked a suit by the Communications Workers of America and the AFL-CIO trying to end the deal. (Vannozi/NJTV)
http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/unions-oppose-private-company-running-nj-lottery/
Port Authority approves new chairman Degnan
John Degnan has taken over as the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. (Associated Press)
http://www.njtvonline.org/news/ap_story/port-authority-approves-new-chairman-degnan/
Mayor: 6 potential buyers for Revel casino
Atlantic City’s mayor says there are six potential buyers for the Revel Casino Hotel, which is up for sale next month at a bankruptcy auction. (Associated Press)
http://www.njtvonline.org/news/ap_story/mayor-6-potential-buyers-for-revel-casino/
Paterson council schedules initial vote on business curfew ordinance
PATERSON – Bracing for opposition from affected merchants, the City Council is ready to take a preliminary vote next week on its proposed business curfew. (Malinconico/Paterson Times)
Paterson leaders unite against gun violence
The parents of a 12-year-old girl who was killed by gunfire hugged the mother of two little girls whose father was fatally shot over the weekend in an emotional moment at the end of a meeting that brought dozens of community leaders together on Wednesday to talk about gun violence in Paterson. (Koloff/The Bergen Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/paterson-leaders-unite-against-gun-violence-1.1056022
Christie and Kean are ‘getting along just fine,’ former NJ gov says: The Auditor
It took about six months, but Gov. Chris Christie and former Gov. Tom Kean are speaking again. (The Auditor/The Star-Ledger)
N.J. Turnpike Authority sues over Florida pizza shop logo
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority wants a Florida pizza shop to pay a big toll for using a logo similar to the Garden State Parkway’s green-and-yellow signs. (Associated Press)
Opinion
Chris Christie’s puffery on tough choices: Moran
Gov. Chris Christie says he won’t campaign for the Republican gubernatorial candidate in New York because the cause is hopeless: Gov. Andrew Cuomo is ahead by more than 30 points. But he will campaign in New Hampshire, over and over, where the Republican is also trailing by more than 30 points. (Moran/The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/07/christie.html#incart_river